Local girl pens book to help military children

Friday

Jan 12, 2018 at 2:15 PMJan 12, 2018 at 2:40 PM

Kyle Stucker @KyleRStucker

ROCHESTER — What started as a writing camp exercise for local student Jadyn Stevens has blossomed into a semi-autobiographical book she hopes will help other kids cope when one of their parents is deployed overseas.

Jadyn, 12, a Rochester Middle School seventh grader, has released “Sergeant Major ‘Dad,’” which she wrote and illustrated based on experiences she had while her father, Rochester police commissioner David Stevens, served 15 months in Afghanistan in 2008.

“When I was little, I couldn’t find anything on the topic of how a child could deal with a parent who is deployed,” said Jadyn. “I hope this shows children how they can help the time go by faster and show them the day (their parents returns) will eventually come.”

“Sergeant Major ‘Dad’” tells the story of Rachel, who like Jadyn has an Army sergeant major for a father. Rachel has a hard time while her father is deployed, and she embarks on a variety of adventures and projects to help pass the time, using her mom and friends as support and co-pilots along the way.

The book has been a two-year process for Jadyn and her parents, whom helped Jadyn reconstruct some of the memories and moments that inspired the book’s plot because Jadyn was just 3 at the time of her father’s deployment.

The illustrations and revisions were daunting at times, although Jadyn said it’s exciting now that the book is available for sale through online retailers. Jadyn also has her first book signing in Granite Steak and Grill’s Smokey’s Tavern from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, which she said is a little “nervewracking.”

But she won't rest on the laurels of her debut children’s book. Jadyn is nearly finished with a follow-up, a semi-autobiographical work designed to help adolescents who are shy. She hasn’t quite figured out what she’ll do with the proceeds yet, although she said she’ll probably use them to help pay for college.

“I’ve always wanted to be a writer, or a teacher or doctor,” said Jadyn, the co-president of her student government and a member of the RMS Honor Choir.

David Stevens said he’s really “proud” of his daughter’s book. Jadyn’s mother, Audrey Stevens, said she expects many parents will have a strong emotional reaction to it, given how difficult deployments can be for many military children.

“It’s a really sweet book,” said Audrey Stevens, who is a member of the Rochester School Board. “When I read it, it made me cry to bring back memories of what our family went through.”

Jadyn Stevens’ “Sergeant Major ‘Dad’” is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble now. Signed, discounted copies will be available for $9.95 during the Jan. 16 book signing.

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